Early Protocol-Based Fractional CO2 Laser Intervention for Post-Surgical Cleft-Lip Scars: A Prospective Clinical...

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Dermatology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Traditional cleft lip surgery yields good functional and aesthetic results, but postsurgical scars remain a concern.
• Fractional photothermolysis, a laser technique, has advanced laser scar surgery but its early use in cleft lip repair was unexplored.
• A novel protocol utilizing fractional CO2 laser in the early postoperative phase of cleft lip surgery was investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of early fractional CO2 laser treatment in improving surgical scars from primary cleft lip repair.
• To assess the impact of this new protocol on both functional and aesthetic outcomes of cleft lip scars.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two children (83-308 days old) with unilateral cleft lip underwent fractional CO2 laser sessions (3-10 sessions) post-primary surgery.
• Treatments were administered at 4-6 week intervals, with assessments at 1-month intervals.
• Scar improvement was evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and a vermilion notch scale via photographic comparison.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in scar pliability, vascularity, and notching.
• Statistically insignificant improvements were noted for scar pigmentation and height.

Conclusions:

• The early fractional CO2 laser protocol shows promise for minimizing cleft lip surgical scars in the early postoperative period.
• Fractional CO2 laser is a valuable treatment for cleft lip scar rehabilitation, demonstrating high effectiveness in healing and aesthetic criteria.